Can you provide a detailed breakdown of the UPSC exam pattern and syllabus?

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The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a highly competitive and prestigious exam in India, conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Mains), and Personality Test (Interview). Here is a detailed breakdown of the UPSC exam pattern and syllabus for 2025:

UPSC Exam Pattern 2025

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

The Prelims stage consists of two papers, both of which are objective type (multiple choice questions). The papers are conducted on the same day.
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  • Paper I: General Studies (GS)
    • Marks: 200
    • Duration: 2 hours
    • Questions: 100
    • Negative Marking: Yes (1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question)
    • Syllabus: Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change, General Science.
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  • Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
    • Marks: 200
    • Duration: 2 hours
    • Questions: 80
    • Negative Marking: Yes (1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question)
    • Syllabus: Comprehension, Interpersonal skills including communication skills, Logical reasoning and analytical ability, Decision making and problem solving, General mental ability, Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. - Class X level).

2. Main Examination (Mains)

The Mains stage consists of nine papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature and seven are counted for merit. The papers are descriptive in nature.
  • Qualifying Papers:
    • Paper A: Indian Language (300 marks)
      • Any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
    • Paper B: English (300 marks)
      • Comprehension of given passages, prĂ©cis writing, usage and vocabulary, short essays.
  • Merit Papers:
    • Paper I: Essay (250 marks)
      • Candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics.
    • Paper II: General Studies I (250 marks)
      • Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
    • Paper III: General Studies II (250 marks)
      • Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
    • Paper IV: General Studies III (250 marks)
      • Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
    • Paper V: General Studies IV (250 marks)
      • Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.
    • Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject Papers I & II (250 marks each)
      • Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list provided by UPSC. Each optional subject has two papers.

3. Personality Test (Interview)

The final stage is the Personality Test or Interview, which carries 275 marks. The interview assesses the candidate's suitability for a career in public service based on their intellectual qualities, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

UPSC Syllabus 2025

Prelims Syllabus

  1. Current Events of National and International Importance: Focus on current affairs from the past year.
  2. History of India and Indian National Movement: Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian history, and the freedom struggle.
  3. Indian and World Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
  4. Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues.
  5. Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives.
  6. Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change.
  7. General Science: Basic understanding of science including matters of everyday observation and experience.
  8. Comprehension: Passages to test comprehension skills.
  9. Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills: Basic understanding of interpersonal skills and communication abilities.
  10. Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Questions to test logical reasoning and analytical abilities.
  11. Decision Making and Problem Solving: Questions to test decision making and problem solving abilities.
  12. General Mental Ability: Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc.) (Class X level).
  13. Data Interpretation: Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. (Class X level).

Mains Syllabus

  1. Essay: Candidates will be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
  2. General Studies I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
  3. General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
  4. General Studies III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
  5. General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. This paper includes questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilize the case study approach to determine these aspects.
  6. Optional Subject Papers I & II: Candidates can choose one optional subject from a list provided by UPSC. Each optional subject has two papers